'A place inspired by patients': New holistic care and support services unveiled at Rob Burrow Centre for MND
Mindfulness sessions, a specialist café, and expanded palliative care support are among a suite of new holistic services launched at the Seacroft-based facility to support patients and their loved ones
Patients and families navigating life with Motor Neurone Disease are benefiting from a major rollout of new holistic care services at the purpose-built Rob Burrow Centre for MND in Leeds.
A range of dedicated sessions have been introduced at the Seacroft Hospital-based site, specifically designed to support not just patients, but the families, friends, and carers who form their vital support networks.
The expansions mark a major milestone for the landmark centre, which was funded by an immense wave of public generosity following the diagnosis of the late Leeds Rhinos legend Rob Burrow CBE.
Among the newly introduced services are monthly mindfulness and relaxation groups alongside regular guided meditation sessions.
The sessions are entirely free and have been opened up to the wider MND community spanning Leeds, West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, and the East Riding and Humber region.
The therapeutic environment of the new facility has also allowed existing support networks to move into a far more suitable home.
The Cornflower Group - a dedicated peer support circle for bereaved past carers from Leeds and West Yorkshire - has officially moved its meetings into the centre. Run by MND family support worker Sam Oakes in partnership with the MND Association, the group previously had to find space to meet publicly wherever it could.
Alongside bereavement care, a new practical network called the PEG Café has been established for Leeds-based patients. The informal group offers an open space to chat, share experiences, and receive information regarding Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy (PEG) tubes, which deliver critical nutrition and hydration directly to the stomach.
Expanding Specialist Palliative Care
The centre's clinical capabilities are also growing with the arrival of Dr Andrew Gill, a highly experienced palliative medicine consultant.
Currently based at Airedale General Hospital with a background spanning general practice and hospices, Dr Gill will now dedicate one day a week specifically to working with MND patients in Leeds.
Dr Gill’s role will focus heavily on symptom management and advance care planning - sitting down with patients and their loved ones to map out their priorities, wishes, and future care.
His remit will include supporting patients who have been admitted to hospital as well as conducting vital home visits, while also keen to challenge the common misconceptions surrounding his field of medicine, particularly within underrepresented areas of the community.
“When people think of palliative care, they think it’s mostly for older people who are actively dying of cancer, but it’s for anyone with a life-limiting illness,” Dr Gill explains. “Palliative care is important right from diagnosis.
“When people are supported to make decisions all the way through their treatment, it can make a real difference for them in receiving the care they want towards the end of their life.”
Dr Gill highlighted a specific drive to ensure people from marginalised groups, who historically face worse access to end-of-life care, are fully supported. “We have to develop palliative care for the needs of the diverse population we serve. It is really inspirational working here and being part of this team.
“It feels like a place that’s been inspired by patients, built by patients, and everyone works together for the patients.”